Tang Wulin: So dark-hearted, Old Tang, and you still say you're not an evil soul master?

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie saw the subtle standoff between Gu Yue and Mu Xi, and their hearts instantly leaped into their throats.

This scene was packed with pressure, far more stimulating than fighting Class Four earlier!

Gu Yue made the first move.

She stepped forward, standing opposite Mu Xi, her delicate chin tilted slightly, her eyes clear and sharp, her voice not loud but carrying an undeniable emphasis.

"I was here first."

Mu Xi's gaze didn't land on Gu Yue at all, as if she were just a wisp of air.

The apple of the Forging Association president's eye, her gaze swept past Gu Yue, directly locking onto Yao Chuan, who was leisurely behind her.

Her eyes instantly filled with moisture, a mixture of resentment, grievance, and a hint of anger at being stood up, as if she were about to cry at any second.

She lightly parted her red lips and said softly:

"It seems... I've come at the wrong time?"

The temperature in her words was three degrees colder than Gu Yue's ice element.

The atmosphere instantly froze to sub-zero.

Xie Xie secretly swallowed, feeling like he had stumbled into a major love triangle.

Beside him, Tang Wulin also held his breath, his eyes darting back and forth between the three big shots.

Faced with this situation that could make even a straight man awkward on the spot, Yao Chuan revealed his signature sunny smile, one that could melt ice and snow.

Not only was he not flustered, but he even waved to Mu Xi as naturally as if greeting an old friend.

He even patted the empty seat next to him.

"Hi, what are you talking about? You've come at the perfect time! It's just adding a pair of chopsticks, what's the big deal? Come, come, sit down and talk."

Yao Chuan's tone was as relaxed as if he were discussing the weather today.

After speaking, he deliberately turned his head to look at Gu Yue, who was blocking his path, with a questioning smile on his face.

"Classmate Gu Yue, don't you think so? Mu Xi isn't an outsider."

This move completely stunned Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.

Big shot, aren't you afraid of death! This skill of adding fuel to the fire is superb!

Gu Yue felt a surge of inexplicable anger erupt in her heart, wishing she could give Yao Chuan a face-smearing elemental combo on the spot!

She gritted her teeth, and a faint "crackling" sound even came from her throat.

The refusal was on the tip of her tongue.

"I..."

However, when she looked up and met Yao Chuan's deep, smiling eyes, which seemed to be filled with starlight, all her anger and refusal, like a popped balloon, deflated by more than half.

That smile was too deceptive, too brilliant, making it difficult for her to say "no" to that face.

Frustrating! So frustrating!

Gu Yue's fists clenched and loosened at her sides, loosened and clenched again. Finally, she almost gritted her teeth and squeezed out a single word from her throat:

"...Mm."

The sound was muffled, filled with extreme reluctance.

With this barely acceptable agreement, Mu Xi acted as if she had won a battle!

Her previously pitiful expression instantly vanished. She straightened her waist, lifted her chin, like a proud rooster after a fight.

With a hint of triumph and provocation, she glanced at Gu Yue, then gracefully sat down in the spot Yao Chuan indicated.

As if the person on the verge of tears just moments ago wasn't her at all.

This change of face speed left Tang Wulin and Xie Xie in awe.

Yao Chuan watched the two settle down, especially Gu Yue's expression of barely suppressed frustration, and the smile on his lips deepened. A hint of imperceptible satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He did this, of course, not out of boredom or to deliberately embarrass Gu Yue.

His true intention was to give this future Silver Dragon King His Majesty a special training—high-pressure psychological adaptation training.

In short, stress resistance training.

Yao Chuan knew it all too well.

He could see clearly Gu Yue's little feelings for him recently.

She was eating this vinegar so much that it was practically written on her forehead that "I care about you."

Coupled with her previous displeasure with Mu Si, it was all exposed.

But this was far from enough.

The road ahead would be much more complicated than this.

Yao Chuan's gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, seeing a more distant future.

He thought of Na'er.

Thinking of a future moment, Gu Yue and Na'er—two existences that were one, seemingly separate but originating from the same source—would eventually merge into one.

At that time, the emotions, memories, and souls they shared would intertwine.

Gu Yue's current jealousy and awkwardness toward Mu Xi might appear incredibly simple, or even insignificant, when compared to the purer, longer-lasting, and almost fledgling-like dependence and closeness that Na'er felt.

Na'er's feelings for Yao Chuan were forged from being saved and taken in during her most helpless moments, settling over days and nights spent together; the weight of that bond was something even Gu Yue might not be able to fully anticipate.

For Gu Yue, the future soul fusion would not just be an accumulation of power, but a massive shock and reshaping of her emotional cognition.

She had to adapt in advance to this "sharing," this "coexistence," and the complex situation where "your feelings are also my feelings."

Otherwise, when that day truly arrived, the immense emotional impact and cognitive chaos could easily become her most fatal weakness, potentially crushing her instantly and affecting the stability and power output of the Silver Dragon King.

What Yao Chuan was doing now was breaking down this potential future emotional storm into small waves, letting them lap against the shores of Gu Yue's consciousness ahead of time.

He was letting her get used to the reality that "Yao Chuan is not just with her alone."

He was teaching her how to control her emotions when jealousy surged.

He was helping her find the necessary balance and resilience amidst her awkwardness and unwillingness.

Today, having her accept Mu Xi sitting at the same table was just one of those small waves.

He was letting her adapt to this "sharing."

He was letting her understand that a true powerhouse must not only control the elements but also master the turbulent undercurrents of their own heart.

This was far more important than defeating a two-ring Guang Long.

This was preparation for the "world war" deep within her future soul.

Gu Yue naturally had no idea about the hundreds of layers of thought spinning inside that old fox Yao Chuan's mind.

She only felt that Yao Chuan's move was absolutely outrageous!

He was the one who called the person over using his Soul Guidance Communicator (though she didn't know the specific content, Mu Xi's reaction clearly showed she had been invited), yet when Mu Xi arrived, he acted with such magnanimity, as if to say, "Oh, you're here? Then let's just eat together!"

He got to play the good guy, while she, Gu Yue, had to take all the blame?

Who wouldn't feel stifled by such a move?

This time, Yao Chuan was in the stratosphere, while Gu Yue was stuck in the basement!

Gu Yue sat down heavily across from Yao Chuan and Mu Xi, her position forming a confrontational angle with Mu Xi.

She struggled to calm the surging anger and bitterness in her chest, constantly telling herself: Calm down, Gu Yue, you must stay calm! You are someone destined for great things; you cannot be swayed by such low-level emotions! Do not fall for his trap!

She took a deep breath, trying hard to keep her expression calm and unruffled.

Then, under the stunned gazes of Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, she did something that caught everyone off guard.

Gu Yue flipped her wrist and pulled out her compact Soul Guidance Communicator.

She aimed the lens at the steaming, fragrant Earthen Pot Beef in front of them.

"Click!"

A crisp shutter sound rang out.

Immediately after, her fair fingers operated rapidly on the communicator screen.

Select photo, send!

The movements were smooth and fluid, done in one go!

Recipient: Na'er, who was far away at the Spirit Pagoda headquarters!

Watching the "Send Successful" message appear on the screen, the corners of Gu Yue's mouth finally curled into a faint, slightly smug arc.

Hmph!

Yao Chuan, you bastard, you want to see me make a fool of myself?

You want to use Mu Xi to provoke me and train my mental state?

Not a chance!

I, Gu Yue, am no pushover!

You want me to experience "sharing" and "jealousy"?

Fine!

Then I'll just share this "excitement" as well!

The more the merrier, right?

You, Yao Chuan, want to make me, Gu Yue, suffer alone?

No way!

I'm dragging Na'er into this too!

I'll let her see who her beloved Brother Yao Chuan is sitting with, eating delicious beef right now!

And, with me, Gu Yue, present at the table, the three of us are eating together!

The photo was taken from a tricky angle with clever composition, perfectly capturing the food on the table, Yao Chuan opposite her (though only his profile was in the frame), and that eyesore Mu Xi beside him (though only her shoulder was captured).

Gu Yue's mental abacus was clicking away:

That girl Na'er is simple-minded yet sensitive. If she sees this photo... tsk tsk, wouldn't that vinegar jar tip over and spill for eight hundred miles?

Let her stay at the Spirit Pagoda alone and let her imagination run wild! She can't get over here anyway!

This move of mine, Gu Yue, is playing in the stratosphere! Not only did I neutralize Yao Chuan's gambit, but I also conveniently shifted the jealousy onto Na'er! Perfect!

Thinking of Na'er potentially stomping her feet at this photo back at the Spirit Pagoda, the stifled frustration Gu Yue felt from being cornered by Yao Chuan and Mu Xi instantly dissipated by more than half.

She even felt a secret, smug pleasure in the thought: I may be annoyed, but you, Na'er, are having a worse time.

Ah Q's method of spiritual victory, Gu Yue has mastered it!

She put away her communicator, the icy frost between her brows melting away completely, and the faint, elusive smile on her lips becoming a little more genuine.

She even took the initiative to pick up her chopsticks, lifted a piece of tender, flavorful stewed beef, and placed it into her mouth with elegant grace.

Mm, the taste was indeed quite good.

With her heart at ease, even the beef seemed to taste a bit more fragrant.

Watching Gu Yue's lightning-fast change in expression and her suddenly relaxed, almost smug demeanor, a flash of realization flickered through Yao Chuan's deep eyes.

This little girl... she's got some tricks up her sleeve.

She actually found a way to "counter" him so quickly?

And she even dragged Na'er into the mix?

Her ability to adjust her mindset and shift conflict was even more outstanding than he had anticipated.

It seems her potential for stress-resistance training is quite high.

Very good, very good.

The future "fusion trial" seems a bit more promising now.

Yao Chuan's estimation of Gu Yue quietly rose a notch in his heart.

He maintained his impeccable, brilliant smile, acting as if he were completely oblivious to Gu Yue's little maneuvers.

"Come, come, don't just sit there, eat while it's hot! This Earthen Pot Beef won't taste good once it cools down!"

He greeted them enthusiastically, as if the invisible clash from moments ago had never occurred.

One was smiling as brilliantly as the sun (Yao Chuan).

One had eyes as smug as a cat that had just stolen a dried fish (Gu Yue).

One sat with an elegance that, while still a bit awkward, clearly showed her mood had improved significantly (Mu Xi).

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie stared at each other in bewilderment.

How did this Shura field, which was just moments ago bristling with swords and cold, murderous intent, turn into... such a harmonious scene in the blink of an eye?

This sight was even rarer than stumbling upon a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in the soul beast forest.

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie sat on the sidelines, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

Tang Wulin felt such envy in his heart that he was practically drooling.

A big shot is a big shot; he could remain as steady as Mount Tai even in a Shura field, smiling as if nothing had happened.

He sighed silently, thinking that this level of composure was something he probably couldn't reach even if he cultivated until he became a Titled Douluo.

Just then, deep within his mind, that voice calling itself "Old Tang" emerged again, its tone full of incitement.

"Kid, feeling envious, aren't you?"

"Look at the treatment he gets, surrounded by beauties."

"And look at you, just a background character here."

"Is this fair? It's not fair!"

"Wouldn't it be great to have stunners like Gu Yue and Mu Xi surrounding you?"

"Jealous? Angry? Hateful?"

"That's right! Turn that energy into motivation and get strong for me!"

"Surpass that kid! Let him know why the flowers are so red!"

Old Tang grew more excited as he spoke, as if he had been injected with adrenaline.

His intentions were clear.

He wanted to stir up the resentment and jealousy in Tang Wulin's heart to drive him to cultivate desperately and climb the ranks.

And while he was at it, he was subtly digging a pit to sow discord between Tang Wulin and Yao Chuan.

Unfortunately, while Old Tang's abacus was clicking loudly, he overlooked one fatal key point.

Tang Ziran and Lang Yue, those adoptive parents, had raised Tang Wulin to be far too upright and kind.

His personality was as sunny as the midday sun; he simply hadn't inherited the gloom and jealousy buried deep in Old Tang's bones.

Tang Wulin's admiration for Yao Chuan was purely the "wow, how amazing" kind of worship, without a single trace of sour, jealous resentment.

After hearing this provocative remark from Old Tang, Tang Wulin's brows twisted into a knot.

A nameless fire suddenly surged in his heart.

Within his sea of consciousness, Tang Wulin questioned Old Tang in an extremely stern tone:

"Old Tang!"

"I've discovered that you have a particularly dark way of thinking!"

"And it's incredibly off-putting!"

"What does it matter to you if a big shot attracts girls with his charm?"

"Why can't you stand to see others doing well?"

"Why do you keep saying people have a 'path to death' at the drop of a hat?"

The more Tang Wulin thought about it, the more wrong it felt, and the more his skin crawled.

Could a normal person, even a soul entity, be this dark and this jealous?

The seed of suspicion in his heart grew wildly, nearly bursting through the soil.

"Damn! Old Tang, you aren't actually an Evil Soul Master, are you?"

"What decent Soul Master spends every day plotting how to get others killed?"

"And over such trivial matters, no less!"

The more Tang Wulin thought, the angrier he became, and the more disgusted he felt sharing a sea of consciousness with Old Tang.

He turned to leave, unwilling to communicate any further with this "dark soul."

Old Tang was left completely dumbfounded in the sea of consciousness.

This wasn't how the script was supposed to go!

Why wasn't this kid playing by the rules?

He hurriedly tried to salvage the situation, his tone turning ingratiating:

"Hey, hey, hey! Wulin, wait!"

"You've misunderstood!"

"I'm doing this for your own good!"

"I really am on your side!"

"Think about it, you are the Child of Destiny, a being destined to dominate the world in the future..."

Tang Wulin's footsteps faltered, and he let out a cold snort.

He seized the logical loophole in Old Tang's words and launched a precise counterattack.